UAW Local 1832 Recesses Peterbilt Strike

11 September 1998

    NASHVILLE, Sept. 10 -- The UAW Local 1832 Bargaining
Committee today voted to recess the strike against Peterbilt Motors and notify
the corporation that UAW-Peterbilt workers are available immediately and
unconditionally to return to work, announced UAW Vice President Jack
Laskowski, who heads the UAW Heavy Trucks Department, and UAW Local 1832
President Richard Burnett.
    "Today's decision to recess this strike is by no means the end of our
fight for a fair and equitable contract," said Laskowski and Burnett.  "We
will continue to put pressure on Peterbilt's corporate parent, PACCAR Inc.
, to cease its unfair labor practices and come back to the
bargaining table for good-faith negotiations."
    "Local 1832 members have played a major role in PACCAR's success in the
heavy truck market, and they deserve a contract that reflects their
contributions to this corporation's record sales and profits.  That was our
goal when negotiations began this past spring, and it is still our goal," said
Burnett.
    In saluting the Local 1832 members and their families, Laskowski said,
"During a long, hard summer, UAW-Peterbilt workers and their families have
demonstrated tremendous solidarity, courage, and dignity.  Their determination
to stand up to this corporation's arrogance and greed is as strong today as
ever."
    UAW and corporation negotiators met last week in a marathon negotiating
session, which was recessed for Labor Day weekend.  Although corporation
negotiators had agreed to continue talks this week, on Wednesday the
corporation notified the UAW that it had reversed its position and would not
resume negotiations this week.
    UAW Local 1832 members have been on strike since May 3, 1998, when they
voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract proposal from Peterbilt and to
protest the corporation's refusal to bargain in good faith.  On July 5, the
Local 1832 membership again voted by an overwhelming majority against a
slightly modified offer from the corporation.